Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

jpaul said:
descaled my machine 3 weeks ago, but, hadn't use the hot water tap since completing the wash through --- today found it was giving blue water - wth,
how do I improve my rinsing.
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I always get this too, even with a good flush. A few days later I notice there's a blue dried patch under the nozzle. I've stopped worrying too much as I don't use it day to day so just flush occasionally and check what comes out.
 
Question for Niche users.

I tried to calibrate my grinder, shouldn't really as it was fine...so I clicked the bottom ring to the calibrate marker, I did it clockwise. When I turned the silver ring round back to where I want espresso, it's way off...it doesn't seem to calibrate right. I am sort of how "feeling" it by turning it to where I think it should be to get espresso and calibrate it that way. I mean it's okay now but it's taken a few shots to get it back, just need to remember not to turn the bottom ring.

So how do you do it?
 
end of an era - the machine that started it all (well this thread that is) is going today :(

mqsJuvSl.jpg


14 years old and still looking pretty damn fine :D
 
Another delivery of single origins from Neighbourhood today.

Grind Control To Major Tom is a nice earthy Guatamalan. Got an Indian and Peruvian to try out as well.

Definitely leaning towards the single origins now, although the speciality espresso blend from Neighbourhood is lush.
 
Siliconslave said:
MaraX ;) taken a while to get round to selling the classic - its in the garage warming up for a pre-sale demo and maybe a cheeky last coffee!
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I also have been using a Gaggia Classic PID'd for the last few years, but unfortunately I broke my PT100 temperature sensor this week as I was doing some maintenance on my machine... anyway long story short I'm getting tempted to sell it on and get the Mara X. How are you finding it so far?
 
Siliconslave said:
MaraX ;) taken a while to get round to selling the classic - its in the garage warming up for a pre-sale demo and maybe a cheeky last coffee!
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Does your Mara low water level warning work btw? Mine doesn't beep at you until you lift the reservoir out, which seems kinda pointless. I fill it up every day anyway so it's not a big issue.
 
Funny how we gaggia classic owners are going down the maraX route, had a classic with pir and jumped ship a couple of months back onto the maraX
 
mid_gen said:
Does your Mara low water level warning work btw? Mine doesn't beep at you until you lift the reservoir out, which seems kinda pointless. I fill it up every day anyway so it's not a big issue.
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RobTi said:
On the maraX all I get is a low level flashing led
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yer - as far as i know its not supposed to beep for low water, just flash the low water led :) Good to hear we have some more maraX owners - does seem like a popular upgrade route!

dbeckett said:
anyway long story short I'm getting tempted to sell it on and get the Mara X. How are you finding it so far?
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Prices & demand for the classic are running high at the moment :) So far the Mara has been a great upgrade, a few things to get used to but its a real joy to use!
 
Bought a Delonghi ecam 22.320 on impulse this week. Was £202 refurbished on ebay with a 1yr warranty. Seemed fair price.

Should arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to giving it a go. Obviously it's not as fancy as some here but convenience of bean to cup suits me well

Grabbed a quick bag of beans from Sainsburys. Modern Standard Momentum Espresso. No clue if they are any good but its a start. Roasted less than a month ago so should be fresh enough?
 
Hedge said:
Bought a Delonghi ecam 22.320 on impulse this week. Was £202 refurbished on ebay with a 1yr warranty. Seemed fair price.

Should arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to giving it a go. Obviously it's not as fancy as some here but convenience of bean to cup suits me well

Grabbed a quick bag of beans from Sainsburys. Modern Standard Momentum Espresso. No clue if they are any good but its a start. Roasted less than a month ago so should be fresh enough?
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The thing with beans, even from a roaster, I just drink it, next time I buy a different one, even if the last bag is great. The ones that I normally avoid are Starbucks beans, they are simply roasted too dark and taste bitter and burnt and I love Starbucks. so if you don't like this bag, try something else next time, that is the beauty of buying beans.
 
Probably best to stick with one bean to start with until you've learned how to dial it in right.

Only takes me a couple of shots to dial in now, so it's not too problematic having lots of different beans. I typically get through a 4x 250g bags a month, maybe a little more, but I mix them up every day.

Currently working through this lot :

https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/grind-control-to-major-tom-coffee-beans/
https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/kiss-from-a-roast/
https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/sip-me-baby-one-more-time/
https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/colombia-i-cant-get-no-caffeination-2/

Nice mix of fruity, and darker chocolately roasts. Depends what mood I'm in!
 
Hedge said:
Grabbed a quick bag of beans from Sainsburys. Modern Standard Momentum Espresso. No clue if they are any good but its a start. Roasted less than a month ago so should be fresh enough?
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Shouldn't be too bad - although it'll depend on the roaster & beans. If you can its worth getting direct from the roaster as your not lining Sainsbury's pocket and more gets passed down the chain to the farmers.

I tend to find some staples but experiment around that - been working through Black Cat's range recently as they are just down the road, but still have square mile on subscription...
 
Siliconslave said:
Shouldn't be too bad - although it'll depend on the roaster & beans. If you can its worth getting direct from the roaster as your not lining Sainsbury's pocket and more gets passed down the chain to the farmers.

I tend to find some staples but experiment around that - been working through Black Cat's range recently as they are just down the road, but still have square mile on subscription...
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Thanks I'll have a look.

Im going to order from Tynemouth Coffee as they are close to home and I'd like to support a local place.

Think I'll try this https://www.tynemouthcoffee.com/pro...n-1kg-bag-delivered-every-month-for-3-months/
 
mid_gen said:
Probably best to stick with one bean to start with until you've learned how to dial it in right.

Only takes me a couple of shots to dial in now, so it's not too problematic having lots of different beans. I typically get through a 4x 250g bags a month, maybe a little more, but I mix them up every day.

Currently working through this lot :

https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/grind-control-to-major-tom-coffee-beans/
https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/kiss-from-a-roast/
https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/sip-me-baby-one-more-time/
https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk/shop/colombia-i-cant-get-no-caffeination-2/

Nice mix of fruity, and darker chocolately roasts. Depends what mood I'm in!
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Cheers for this. I'll have a play around with the machine tomorrow to dial it in. Supposedly has 13 grind settings. Guess it's best to tweak the grind each time you change batch of beans.
 
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